Reinforcements should be on the way for Mexico's Gold Cup roster.
FIFA will allow Mexico to replace the five players who were suspended for a positive test for clenbuterol, according to the Associated Press.
Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Rodriguez, Edgar Duenas, Sinha and Christian Bermudez all tested positive for the substance on May 21, blaming the test results on contaminated meat. They all tested negative for the substance a week ago, but the case is still being investigated, and the players will be banned until conclusions can be drawn.
"Given that we still don't know if it was an accident or not, FIFA has authorized CONCACAF to allow Mexico to replace these five players at the Gold Cup," FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said. "It isn't a very effective drug, and that's why this case raises so many questions.
"It's very strange to see so many players testing positive for a substance like this at the same time, but both FIFA and WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) have decided that these footballers cannot play for the time being."
Mexico played its final two games of the group stage with a 17-man roster and coasted to first place in Group A. Mexico, which has not yet named the five replacements, will face Guatemala in a quarterfinal match Saturday night.
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